Unpaid visa fine in Russia, do I take a risk going to airport transit area in Moscow?

In August 2015 I crossed the Russian-Mongolian border with an expired visa without realizing it. The border police noticed it and made me pay ( along with a colleague in the same case) a fine of about 50€. It was quite complicated because nobody spoke English. Before we crossed the border, we were given another paper, in Cyrillic, with an amount to pay to a bank account. We never paid this amount.

I'll fly in August 2020 to Japan with a flight that transits to Moscow (less than 2 hours of connection so no visa required). What can happen to me during my transit through the international zone (my arrival and departure flights are in the same terminal)? Will I be checked with my passport and if so can I be seen that I have an unpaid fine or an inadmissibility? Can I be denied access to the international zone, or access to the flight to Japan? Is there a risk of arrest?

I have a European passport

Best Answer

Unlike in most countries, Russian airports have transit passport control between the transfer desk and security. However, since you're only in transit, nothing will happen. They're not going to arrest a non-CIS national over a civil case. If the officer knows English (which most don't) they may remind you of your outstanding fine, but that's it.

So you'll be good.

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Can I transit Moscow without visa?

As a rule, it is easy and inexpensive to get a Transit visa. A Transit Visa is not required if you remain in the transit zone of the airport in order to catch an onward or connecting flight within 24 hours of arrival or more in case of forced stop. Transit visas can be single- and double-entry.

Is Russia allowing transit passengers?

Transiting in RussiaPassengers entering or transiting the Russian Federation must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken at most 2 days before arrival. The test result must be in English or Russian. A notarized translation to Russian is accepted.

What is visa transit?

A transit visa is a travel document allowing you to pass through another country until you reach your destination. For example, if you are traveling from India to the US, but you need to stop in the Schengen Zone to continue your flight for the US, you require a transit visa for the Schengen Area.

How long does it take to get a Russian transit visa?

The processing time for a Russia transit visa application is from three working days to seven calendar days. Expedited processing is available for those in a hurry to get a visa. It takes one to three working days.

Why ? Russian immigration Stopped Me at Airport

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